{
  "id": 86164,
  "title": "This is not the first time Trump has called off strikes on Iran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/this-is-not-the-first-time-trump-has-called-off-strikes-on-iran",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T12:39:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Egypt Independent",
    "slug": "egypt-independent",
    "url": "https://www.egyptindependent.com/this-is-not-the-first-time-trump-has-called-off-strikes-on-iran/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US President Donald Trump has made a habit of threatening strikes on Iran, only to call them off at the last minute. This pattern has repeated itself multiple times during the ongoing conflict. On March 21, for instance, Trump threatened to \"hit and obliterate\" Iranian power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. However, he later declared that he would refrain from striking energy sites for five days following \"productive conversations\" between the US and Iran.\n\nTrump escalated his rhetoric further on April 7, warning of a \"whole civilization\" dying if Iran refused to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was declared two days later, despite Trump's expectation of \"bombing\" if negotiators failed to reach an agreement. He extended the ceasefire on April 21, even as he expected to resume attacks if a deal could not be forged.\n\nOn May 17, Trump threatened Iran with a ticking clock, urging them to act swiftly or face destruction. The following day, he decided to hold off on attacking Iran, citing a request from regional allies. On June 11, he threatened to attack Iran \"VERY HARD TONIGHT,\" including targeting Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure. Hours later, he canceled the strikes due to an \"approved\" agreement between the two sides.\n\nOn August 1, Trump declared the US \"locked and loaded\" for a devastating attack on Iran, likening it to \"Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.\" Despite this, he agreed to cancel the attack if a \"DEAL\" could be rapidly reached. CNN reporters contributed to this reporting.",
  "summary": "US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he called off planned strikes on Iran, adding later that officials from Washington and Tehran will meet for talks later today. Iran has denied it is having discussions with the US. This is not the first time during the conflict that Trump has threatened attacks then called … The post This is not the first time Trump has called off strikes on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Iran denies negotiations with US after Trump announces talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/iran-denies-negotiations-with-us-after-trump-announces-talks",
        "published": "2026-08-03T09:24:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Iran denies Trump’s claim of fresh US talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/iran-denies-trumps-claim-of-fresh-us-talks",
        "published": "2026-08-03T10:41:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}